The UK at the United Nations Security Council

Foreign Affairs Committee Closed Inquiry
Opened: 11 Mar 2025 Closed: 1 Dec 2025 Parliament page
This inquiry considers how effectively the UK uses its position at the UNSC (United Nations Security Council) to influence and bring about an end to global conflict, whilst advancing its goals for a rules-based international order. It will focus on countries for which the UK is a ‘Penholder’ at the … Read more
25 Recommendations
18 Conclusions
1 Report
3 Oral sessions
3 Events
Activity timeline 5 events
1 Dec
2025
Report published
21 Sep
2025
Report published
15 Jul
2025
Oral evidence
1 Jul
2025
Oral evidence
23 Jun
2025
Oral evidence
Oral evidence sessions 3 sessions
15 Jul 2025
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Freya Jackson · Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) The Lord Collins of Highbury · Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO)
1 Jul 2025
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Martin Griffiths · United Nations Richard Gowan · International Crisis Group
23 Jun 2025
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Sir Mark Lyall Grant · United Nations
Recommendations & Conclusions
43 results
1 Recommendation
2nd Report - The write to protect:…
Seize UN80 anniversary opportunity to lead discussion on future of global multilateralism
We welcome and recognise the strong leadership demonstrated by the Government in leading on the UK’s global ‘re-engagement,’ including at and through the United Nations. The impending 80th anniversary of the creation of the United Nations system in September 2025, … Read more
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2 Recommendation
2nd Report - The write to protect:…
Outline strategy for engaging with rapidly changing multilateral system and UN80 reform agenda
The Government should outline its strategy for responding to and engaging with a rapidly changing multilateral system, in its response to this report. This should include a roadmap detailing the UK’s engagement with the ongoing United Nations 80 (UN80) reform … Read more
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3 Conclusion
2nd Report - The write to protect:…
Take leadership in responding to malign influence within the United Nations system.
The international community’s reluctance to address malign influence within the United Nations system risks the loss of the values- embedded and rules-based international order. If more countries ignore UN resolutions, it will become less and less effective. The UK has … Read more
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4 Recommendation
2nd Report - The write to protect:…
Utilise the United Nations system to advance British values and call out abuses.
The Government should make full use of the whole United Nations system to advance its foreign policy objectives and further British values of democracy and tolerance to counter assertive behaviour by other countries within the 45 United Nations. The Government … Read more
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5 Conclusion
2nd Report - The write to protect:…
Conflict resolution increasingly occurs through non-UN Security Council mechanisms.
This Committee’s first priority will always be to push for the use of United Nations mediation, peace and security structures to resolve conflict: the international community is strongest together and a peace agreed by the consensus of the many is … Read more
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6 Recommendation
2nd Report - The write to protect:…
Adapt to changing conflict resolution by enhancing bilateral partnerships and leveraging regional groupings.
The Government should adapt to the changing conflict environment, recognising the existing geopolitical realities of conflict resolution, whilst continuing to push for multilateral efforts where possible. The Government should enhance its bilateral partnerships with Qatar and Saudi Arabia, as well … Read more
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7 Conclusion
2nd Report - The write to protect:…
UK well-placed to mobilise like-minded states for global conflict resolution.
The UK is well placed to mobilise like-minded states and build regional and bloc-based coalitions to advance efforts to lead on the resolution of global conflict. This applies in particular to those organisations which have a regional remit for country … Read more
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8 Recommendation
2nd Report - The write to protect:…
Harness UK's global convenor status to engage like-minded states in conflict resolution.
The UK Government should be more confident in its role at the UN, harnessing its status as a global convenor, and drawing upon the UK’s diplomatic expertise to engage like-minded states in resolving conflict in cases where it is not … Read more
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9 Conclusion
2nd Report - The write to protect:…
Continue close collaboration with the US in the UNSC on values-based conflict resolution.
The UK should continue to work closely with the US in the United Nations Security Council to advance the UK’s values-based approach to resolving conflict through multilateral organisations. (Conclusion, Paragraph 51)
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10 Recommendation
2nd Report - The write to protect:…
Engage US proactively and develop alliances with UNSC members to advance British values.
Where agreement or consensus with the US may not be forthcoming, the Government must engage the US proactively, in behind-the-scenes and backdoor diplomacy. Simultaneously, the Government should have the confidence to develop robust alliances with Elected Members to the United … Read more
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11 Conclusion
2nd Report - The write to protect:…
FCDO budget cuts reduce UK's UN effectiveness, ceding influence to competitors.
We are concerned about the cuts to the FCDO’s budget, including those to the Directorate responsible for multilateral organisations such as the UN. Such measures will reduce the UK’s ability to be an effective penholder at the United Nations and … Read more
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12 Recommendation
2nd Report - The write to protect:…
Ensure retention of high-calibre staff at UK Missions to the United Nations.
The Government must ensure the retention of the high-calibre staff at the UK Missions to the United Nations and it should outline a clear strategy detailing how it plans to retain these staff. When the Government is clear on the … Read more
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13 Conclusion
2nd Report - The write to protect:…
Reduced ODA budget diminishes UK global visibility, empowering adversaries in conflict zones.
With a reduced Official Development Assistance budget and a smaller budget allocation for conflict prevention and peacebuilding efforts, the UK is less visible on the global stage and in key conflict zones. This opens up the space to our adversaries … Read more
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14 Conclusion
2nd Report - The write to protect:…
Publish a timeline to restore ODA spending to 0.7%, including a protected conflict budget.
For the UK to continue being a lead actor within the United Nations Security Council, and a leading global actor in the prevention and resolution of conflict, it is critical that the Government sets out a pathway and 47 timeline … Read more
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15 Recommendation
2nd Report - The write to protect:…
Explain how the FCDO's reduced budget maintains its leading multilateral actor role.
The Government should also, in its response, outline how the FCDO’s reduced operating budget will allow it to continue being a leading multilateral actor and fulfil the Government’s responsibility to push through efficiencies identified throughout the ongoing United Nations 80 … Read more
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16 Recommendation
2nd Report - The write to protect:…
Detail interim private finance investments to plug ODA gap and safeguard UK conflict expertise.
It should also detail what interim investments it has made for private finance to plug the Official Development Assistance gap. This includes investment in civilian-led conflict prevention, resolution and peacebuilding. UK expertise, much of it currently concentrated in the Migration … Read more
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17 Conclusion
2nd Report - The write to protect:…
Co-penholding strengthens UK soft power and builds alliances through shared UNSC expertise.
Sharing the pen allows for Elected Members to the United Nations Security Council to actively partake in the penholder process and to learn from the UK’s expertise as a convening actor in diplomacy and as a leader in the global … Read more
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18 Recommendation
2nd Report - The write to protect:…
Prioritise co-penholding with Elected UN Security Council Members for country and thematic files.
The Government should prioritise co-penholding with at least one Elected Member to the United Nations Security Council per country and thematic file, where appropriate, and where Elected Members are willing and able to contribute meaningfully. This would also provide a … Read more
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19 Conclusion
2nd Report - The write to protect:…
Absence of debate stalls diplomatic progress and solutions at the UN Security Council.
Without debate, progress on a file and elevating the platform of a conflict to find diplomatic solutions forward is stalled. This stymies the core mission of the United Nations Security Council, which is to identify and spearhead solutions to restore … Read more
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20 Conclusion
2nd Report - The write to protect:…
UK must continue raising critical files at UNSC despite challenging geopolitical environment.
We recognise that the UK’s Mission to the United Nations is operating in an increasingly fraught and challenging geopolitical environment, but that should not preclude the UK from raising and debating files such as Myanmar and Sudan at the United … Read more
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21 Conclusion
2nd Report - The write to protect:…
Continue raising and debating issues at the UN Security Council, even if vetoed.
The UK must continue to put forward, raise and debate issues at the United Nations Security Council for files it holds the pen for, even if these are ultimately vetoed. It is essential that in situations of conflict where the … Read more
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22 Recommendation
2nd Report - The write to protect:…
UK demonstrates strong leadership in managing the UN Office for Central Africa penholder file.
The UK has demonstrated strong leadership in its management of the penholder file ‘The UN Office for Central Africa’, and should continue this work. (Conclusion, Paragraph 82)
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23 Conclusion
2nd Report - The write to protect:…
UK commended for its role as penholder for Colombia at the UNSC.
The UK is to be commended for its role as penholder for Colombia at the United Nations Security Council and continuing to push for stability in a volatile region. (Conclusion, Paragraph 87)
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24 Recommendation
2nd Report - The write to protect:…
Outline steps taken as penholder to consolidate Colombia's peace process and address human rights.
We urge the Government to outline the steps it is taking as penholder to seek to ensure the long-term consolidation and enforcement of the peace process in Colombia. This should include a summary of the actors it is engaging with … Read more
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25 Conclusion
2nd Report - The write to protect:…
UK's dual roles in Cyprus do not represent a conflict of interest.
Our evidence supports the view that UK’s roles as penholder for Cyprus at the United Nations Security Council and as a party to the Treaty of Guarantee in Cyprus do not represent a conflict of interest. (Conclusion, Paragraph 90)
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26 Recommendation
2nd Report - The write to protect:…
Uphold commitment to resolving Cyprus stalemate, utilising penholder and Treaty of Guarantee roles.
The UK should continue to uphold its commitment to the resolution of the stalemate in Cyprus, utilising jointly its role as penholder and as one of the parties to the Treaty of Guarantee. The Government should detail in its response … Read more
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27 Conclusion
2nd Report - The write to protect:…
UK has not sufficiently raised Libya's profile at the United Nations Security Council.
Libya is a neglected item at the United Nations Security Council and the UK has not taken sufficient action to raise it. Despite controversy relating to the UN Security Council-backed intervention which the UK participated in, our evidence suggested the … Read more
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28 Recommendation
2nd Report - The write to protect:…
Demonstrate actions taken as penholder to promote peace and security in Libya.
The Government should demonstrate the actions it is taking to promote peace and security in Libya’s borders as its penholder. (Recommendation, Paragraph 96)
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29 Conclusion
2nd Report - The write to protect:…
No substantive United Nations Security Council resolution passed on Myanmar since 2022.
We note with concern that despite increasing violence and reports of human rights violations, there has been no substantive resolution on Myanmar passed by the United Nations Security Council since 2022. (Conclusion, Paragraph 99)
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30 Recommendation
2nd Report - The write to protect:…
Raise Myanmar's profile as penholder, introduce regular reporting, and work with regional actors.
It is critical that the UK continues to raise the profile of Myanmar in all its efforts as penholder for this file at the United Nations Security Council. The Government should introduce regular mandated reporting on this conflict. The Government … Read more
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31 Conclusion
2nd Report - The write to protect:…
Recognise, support, and honour United Nations peacekeepers upholding peace and security worldwide.
We recognise, support and honour the thousands of United Nations peacekeepers who are upholding peace and security and taking risks to their lives in conflict zones around the world. (Conclusion, Paragraph 109)
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32 Recommendation
2nd Report - The write to protect:…
United Nations peacekeeping missions require reforms, including technology and regular reviews.
However, we recognise that United Nations peacekeeping missions require reforms to ensure they are fit for purpose. This should include consideration of technological solutions—like the use of drones for monitoring conflict zones—to both support United Nations peacekeeping missions and reduce … Read more
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33 Recommendation
2nd Report - The write to protect:…
Set out long-term plan for reforming UN peacekeeping bodies and aligning with UN80 agenda
It is clear that United Nations peacekeeping requires reform, and we support the Government’s efforts to promote a leaner peacekeeping and peace and security architecture at the UN. However, we would urge the Government to maintain UK investment in conflict … Read more
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34 Recommendation
2nd Report - The write to protect:…
Ensure civilians in armed conflict are protected and given access to essential aid
The Government should ensure that it is taking all possible steps to ensure that civilians in armed conflict are protected and given access to shelter, food and healthcare. The Government should use the offices of the UN to urge warring … Read more
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35 Recommendation
2nd Report - The write to protect:…
Detail process for balancing national interest with UN penholder obligations on file responsibility
The Government, in its response, should detail the process by which national interest is weighed against obligations as penholder at the United Nations when assuming responsibility for a file, with reference to its responsibility for the Protection of Civilians in … Read more
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36 Conclusion
2nd Report - The write to protect:…
UK demonstrates strong leadership on Somalia file at United Nations
The UK has demonstrated strong leadership on the Somalia file at the United Nations, drawing on a network of African actors built up over two decades and a strong in-country presence. (Conclusion, Paragraph 119)
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37 Recommendation
2nd Report - The write to protect:…
Outline continued work with regional actors and funding for UN/AU mandates in Somalia
A stable Somalia is crucial to global and maritime security. The Government should, in its response, outline how it is continuing to work with regional actors in Somalia and detail which funds it will use to support the implementation of … Read more
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38 Recommendation
2nd Report - The write to protect:…
UK's Sudan file leadership must go further despite geopolitical constraints
We commend the UK’s tenacity and leadership on the Sudan file but urge it go further to promote peace and security in Sudan, both at the United Nations Security Council and bilaterally. We are cognisant that the UK is operating … Read more
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39 Recommendation
2nd Report - The write to protect:…
Intensify diplomatic efforts for UN Security Council resolution on Sudan ceasefire and protection
We recommend that the UK take the following actions as soon as possible: a. Pursue all efforts possible to intensify its diplomatic efforts and pass a United Nations Security Council resolution which calls for an immediate end to fighting in … Read more
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40 Recommendation
2nd Report - The write to protect:…
UK's leadership on Women, Peace and Security file must go further
The UK has historically demonstrated strong management and leadership as concerns the Women, Peace and Security file, however it can and must go further. (Conclusion, Paragraph 133)
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41 Recommendation
2nd Report - The write to protect:…
Outline work to include women in WPS mediation and strengthen UNSC commitments
We recommend: a. The Government should outline in its response to this report what work it is pursuing as penholder for Women, Peace and Security to include women and women-led organisations in mediation and peace negotiations. The UK Mission to … Read more
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42 Conclusion
2nd Report - The write to protect:…
UK remains best-placed for Yemen file despite slow progress and past criticism
There has been criticism that the UK’s penholdership of the Yemen file was compromised due to UK arms sales to Saudi Arabia who were at war against Houthi terrorists in Yemen. However, Saudi Arabia has now largely withdrawn from Yemen. … Read more
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43 Recommendation
2nd Report - The write to protect:…
Continue to advocate for Yemen's long-term peace, upholding maritime security and civilian protection.
We encourage the Government, through the UK Mission to the United Nations in New York, to continue to push for long-term peace and security in Yemen, with particular reference to upholding maritime security, the 53 protection of civilians in armed … Read more
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